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Smoking

If you're a smoker or you have a smoker living in your house, stay out of danger by following our crucial advice.

  • When you stub out a cigarette, ask yourself whether it's really out? Tobacco is designed to stay alight and as a result, cigarettes can easily start an accidental fire so make sure you have put it out properly.
  • If you're feeling drowsy, are drinking alcohol or are taking prescription drugs, take extra care when smoking. It's really easy to fall asleep and not notice a cigarette is still burning.
  • Don't light up if you need to lie down, and never smoke in bed.
  • Don't leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around. They can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or a newspaper and start a fire.
  • Take responsibility and keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children. Every year children die from starting fires with cigarettes and lighters they shouldn't have.
  • Consider buying child resistant lighters and matchboxes. Matchboxes now carry this warning label.
  • Use a proper ashtray. Make sure the ashtray is heavy, can't tip over easily, and is made out of a material that won't burn.
  • Only use an ashtray - never tap your ash into a waste paper basket. Make sure it can't be easily knocked over and don't let ash build up.

 

Finally…

Remember that cigarettes are hotter than you think and can burn in temperatures of over 700 degrees!

Fit a smoke alarm that has the Kite mark and conforms to British Standard Number 5446 (Part 1). Test the smoke alarm at least once a month by pressing the test button and know the life span of the battery - mark your calendar as a reminder